Joe GURINA

A group of mothers from a remote area in Kairuku of Central province, was presented with K10, 000 by their local MP, Peter Isoaimo, over the weekend in recognition of their commitment, dedication, and resilience in forming a small SME group to sustain their livelihoods.Their courage and determination were rewarded by the MP, who provided the financial incentive to help them engage in various SME plans aimed at improving their household units and the broader community.The Bakoiudu SME Mothers Group consists of women from the inland Kuni Local Level Government (LLG) constituency.These women typically run informal roadside market stalls along the Louis Mona Highway, which connects to the hinterland of Tapini in Goilala.Their drive to organize the group was rooted in a shared goal to generate income through small business activities and improve living standards in their remote setting.Community leader and group spokesperson Peter Olebe commended the women for taking the initiative to drive local economic growth.“All you women have taken ownership in organizing yourself. It was a right thing to do. You have not waited for a free government handout,” Olebe stated.“Today is a milestone achieved, since you have organized yourself and the government has come to your doorstep to help you.”Meanwhile, Kuni LLG President Ignatius Aida challenged the mothers to use the funding strictly for its intended purpose.He thanked MP Isoaimo for supporting the women in his LLG and encouraged the members to invest the money wisely to grow their small businesses and cover essential household needs.In his remarks, Isoaimo praised the women for organizing themselves to actively participate in the local economy.He noted that the Kairuku District Development Authority, under his leadership as chairman, remains committed to continuously supporting SMEs, women’s groups, and cooperatives to foster sustainable economic growth across district communities.

Tufi LLG in the Ijivitari District of the Oro Province is feeling the pinch of this El nino condition, the El Nino severely dried up soil and food gardens and even creek beds and streams and drying up.According to reports received from a community leader and former Tufi LLG president, Luke Nunisa, the situation is getting worse every day as food supplies become scares, while more creek beds continue to dry up causing panic about where to get clean drinking water." The situation is very bad, affecting especially the older folks and the young children"." Families are only having one meal a day and this is threatening as the dry spell continue to affect people's livelihood," he said.The people of Tufi are calling on their local member, district disaster office, provincial government and the national government to give assistance to these people at this time when food and drinking water is becoming scarce.Mr. Nunisa has also made an appeal to the National Disaster office to dispatch and assessment team to go in and do urgent assessments on wards that are severely affected. The wards affected are wards 10-17 from the total 20 wards.He also added that health and sanitation are becoming another concern at this time with no proper diet and clean drinking water. "The situation is getting out of hand, and the people need urgent support from responsible authorities to assist affected wards with food and water rations therefore I am also appealing to the local MP David Arore and the IDDA to assist the affected people."

The Hiri Koiari District Development Authority (DDA) in Central province, continues to prioritize the education sector, ensuring that schools receive the necessary monitoring and funding to foster conducive learning environments.This commitment was delivered through fifty desks that were given to Sogeri Primary school last week by the Member for Hiri Koiari, Keith Iduhu, who clearly illustrates his priority to enhancing conducive learning environment for students across the district. His support was timely as the school had been struggling with a shortage of furniture to accommodate students who transferred in late for the current academic year. The students and teachers were privileged to host their local member as the deputy opposition leader accompanied by the opposition leader and Member for Chuave, James Nomane, as well as member for Middle Fly Mason Hewabi. The occasion was filtered with celebrations as the students warmly welcomed their visiting guests with heartfelt songs and traditional dances, proudly sharing their culture and the school spirit. Iduhu encouraged the students on the importance of education, discipline, and building better a better future. He said the donation of the desks is of significance to better their learning environment and prosper in their education endeavors. He also reaffirmed his support toward the school to assist in areas of priorities to be sorted out in preference with the district education coordinator. Meanwhile, Head Teacher Chris Manggin, thanked the member for his contribution towards the school that will create a better learning environment for the students.

The new President elect for the Vanapa Brown Local Level Government (LLG) Mr. Henry Namea Isoaimo spent some of his time this season working alongside contractors fixing giant potholes on the road.The LLG President was seen working with the team on ground patching the massive potholes along the portion of the Hiritano Highway in the Central province that runs through his LLG area.  He said he wants to fix this pothole rigged section of the road so that commuters can enjoy their ride because this particular area is a nightmare when traveling on. Minor road maintenance work was carried out last year on this portion of the highway; however, it deteriorated due to the continuous wet weather conditions.Nevertheless, he assured that he will work closely with the Member of Parliament (MP) for Hiri Koiari Keith Iduhu and madam Governor Rufina Peter to address the situation of the road condition.

The Minister for Energy who is also the local MP for Kairuku, Peter Isoaimo, has delivered 10 fuel drums to the Kairuku police command in the Central province to boost the Christmas and New Year police operations in his district.While delivering the fuel drums this weekend Isoaimo stressed the importance of Christmas and the significance to celebrate the festive season peacefully. "Christmas is a season of love, peace, reflection and gratitude. It reminds us of the importance of unity, compassion, and service to one and another. "As a nation and district, we have faced challenges throughout the year but through resilience, cooperation and faith, we have continued to move forward as a district," he said. He went on to commend the police personnel in the district for doing a tremendous job throughout this year, enforcing law and order in the district. Bereina Police Station Commander (PSC) Sergeant Willie Hoiba commended the Minister for his continued efforts in supporting the police force in the Kairuku district. He also thanked the transport division of the Police Headquarters in Konedobu in Port Moresby city for providing a vehicle to transport the fuel drums to Bereina station.

The people of Goilala in Central province, have been reminded to reflect and have the compassion to unite and define a better Goilala destiny in this festive season.Member for Goilala Casmiro Aia, emphasized the importance of unity in this festive season, sending a clear message for compassion at all levels, ensuring a pathway for development to continue in the district.“Christmas is a season of reflection, renewal and togetherness.”“It reminds us of the importance of unity, compassion, and service to one and other with the values that are essential as we continue our journey of development and nation building.”Despite the challenges, he reminded that as their mandated leader he is working tirelessly to improve service delivery infrastructures, education, health and economic opportunity for the people.

Police in the Kairuku district of Central province have started their Christmas and New Year operations to ensure communities cerebrate the festive season peacefully.According to Bereina Police Station Commander (PSC) Willie Hoiba, fifty- four (54) police officers have been deployed to the various Local Level Government (LLG) areas in the district to carry out the operation. He said his police personnel from Bereina and Doa have been deployed to participate in the festive police operation. He said the members of the Kairuku police command have been deployed as far as Akufa in North Mekeo, Bakoiudu that borders Goilala district in the Kuni LLG and Yule Island, including Waima and Kivori in the Kairuku LLG. He said the police operation will end on 05th of January 2026. He is also urging local community leaders and ward councilors to work together to maintain a peaceful festive season.

Young 18-year-old Elizabeth Inapi from Eboa village in Mekeo in the Kairuku district of Central province, could not hold back her tears when she finally delivered her child on Christmas day.The pain of being labour was finally over when she delivered a healthy 3-kilogram baby boy at 7AM at the Inauaia sub- health centre in Mekeo.Beside Elizabeth's bed side was health worker Shirley Aisa, who handing over the newborn baby to the mother. Shirley felt satisfied and thrilled that she had assisted in delivering another newborn child on Christmas day. "I was excited to assist deliver the child at 7AM this morning. I assisted to deliver 10 babies on Christmas, and this is my 11th delivery assist this Christmas, 2025.” "I told the mother to name the newborn Emmanuel, Noel or Christopher, because in the biblical history they were born on Christmas," the health worker said. Shirley said she was happy to assist in delivering the newborn babies on Christmas day, which is a significance time of the year celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord, King and Savior.

The Kairuku District Development Authority (KDDA) in the Central province continues to embrace and empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) growth in the district.Despite the tough economic times the country is experiencing, the KDDA headed by chairman and Local MP Peter Isoaimo, continues to honor its commitment to its people with funds allocated under the District Service Improvement Program (DSIP). A new Isuzu truck purchased at Boroko Motors and delivered to the Fuyuge Native Business Group Inc. recently underscores this commitment the KDDA has to a growing list of successful SMEs. The vehicle was funded under a shared arrangement comprising 30 percent owner equity, 30 percent KDDA assistance through the economic sector fund and 40 percent loan financing through Fincorp, a model increasingly used to boost sustainability and ownership amongst local SMEs. Isoaimo said it is a testament of the KDDA in embracing SME growth in the district, whilst reinforcing its commitment to empower local entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships and funding support. He reaffirmed that their commitment to supporting genuine local business groups through structural SME programs ensures economic growth is driven from the grassroot level. He also commended the Mekeo Local Level Government (LLG) President, Edward Kekele and Kairuku LLG President Terence Rau, for witnessing the occasion as it highlights strong partnership between district leadership and the LLG in delivering tangible development outcomes.

A recently launched cooperative society in the Kairuku district of the Central province has now set a pathway to create economic benefits for the locals.The Givagai Timber Cooperative Society Limited in Rarai village of the Mekeo rural Local Level Government (LLG), is a community driven initiative aimed at promoting sustainable forestry and create long term economic opportunities for the local people in the area. The Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament (MP) for Kairuku, Peter Isoaimo, who attended the launching of the cooperative society, commended the people of Rarai to organise themselves into a cooperative and described it as a strategic approach towards self-reliance and economic empowerment. He encouraged the community to focus on large scale planting of timbers across the vast hectares of available land. He also reminded the people that timber is a renewable resource which if managed properly can provide sustainable income for generations. In addition, Minister Isoaimo stated that there are local markets available both in the district and province for locally produced timbers for the corporative to utilize. He said the timbers can be sold locally to build infrastructures like, classrooms, health facilities, churches and residential houses. He stressed that such initiatives would not only generate income but directly contribute to improving social services and improving living standards in the community. Furthermore, he encouraged the people of Rarai to take ownership of the cooperative society and work collaboratively to ensure it becomes a model for other communities. Meanwhile, the launching was witnessed by key district leaders including LLG president for Mekeo Edward Kekele, LLG president for Kairuku Terence Ray, and acting first secretary for the Minister James Enage, whose presence underscored the importance of the occasion.

Education remains a top priority for the Goilala District Development Authority (GDDA), as it continues to deliver quality education infrastructures to schools in the remote part of the district in Central province.As part of GDDA’s education transformation, a two in one double classroom was delivered this week and commissioned by the member for Goilala, Casmiro Aia. Students, parents and locals gathered in huge numbers to witness the significant occasion at the St John Della Sale Visi community school, in the Woitape Local Level Government (LLG). The facility was delivered under a K400, 000 education project upgrade package that will see more classrooms and teachers' houses to be built under this fund. The opening of the classroom demonstrates a major transformation for the school which has been awaiting redevelopment for decades. In his speech, Mr. Aia assured that this classroom is the start of many more to come. “I challenge our people to take ownership of your children’s future.” “Education needs commitment from the government, but it also needs commitment from families.” “Therefore, I urge you people to build your own income by planting coffee and other cash crops to sustain yourself economically.” The message drew strong approval from community representatives who agreed that agriculture offers a sustainable pathway for families to meet school fees and improve their livelihood. Mr. Aia and the GDDA, reaffirmed that this project forms a part of a wider plan to strengthen education services across the district, ensuring children learn in a safe and secure learning environment. He also presented K50, 000 to the school for its administration purpose and operation of the school.

The Hiritano Super Nines (HSN) Rugby League Tournament is set to kick off this weekend at the Bereina station in the Kairuku District of Central province with 30 teams to participate and win a total of K20, 000 prize money that is up for grabs.This prize money will be shared amongst winners in the cup, plate, and bowl fixtures of the tournament. The Tournament will start this Friday December, 12th and ending with the grand finals on Sunday 15, December, 2025. The Tournament’s President Mr. Rolf Maino said the focus of the initiative is noble. “The aim of the tournament is to encourage youths promote social development, foster community unity and identify raw talents along the Hiritano highway who can potentially join the big competitions in Port Moresby city,” he said. The Hiritano Super Nines was an inspiration to many youths who got involved, and the outcome was satisfying. One success story is Bartholomew Evi, a product of the 9s program who was the Rookie of the Year in 2024, whilst playing for the Central Dabaris. He said the Hiritano Super Nines is the brainchild of the now Dabaris Team Manager Mr. Don Pio and with that determination, HSN has grown into include a self-sustaining 10 person committee with Clement Pio Avaisa and himself (Maino) as president, whilst Paul Aluofo appointed as tournament director, a position suited in his capacity as the Kairuku district administration sports coordinator.